Demon Slayer: You call paying to get stronger "lightning"?

Page 34

Not only does it have the water-breathing monster Sabito and Giyuu.

And then there's that incredibly lucky guy, Murata, whose clothes are slightly dirty!

The ghost even got killed by itself. At that time, you can just hold the knife and follow behind shouting "666" and you'll pass the level!

This configuration is incredibly safe!

What am I supposed to do there? Just stand around doing nothing?

Just as Ryosuke was about to politely decline, Jigoro spoke up first, his tone incredibly natural.

“Ryosuke, Rika hasn’t traveled far alone much, and she’s quite impulsive. Since you don’t have any missions recently, why don’t you accompany her on a trip to Fujikasayama? You’ll have someone to look after her on the way, and I’ll feel more at ease.”

Ryosuke: (゜д゜)

Which eye of yours saw that she needed care?

This girl is smarter than all the monkeys in the mountains behind our village! She's practically the monkey king!!!

Your favoritism is outrageous!

I'm afraid she'll end up binding the ghost and creating some kind of unlimited power resource...

Helpless, Ryosuke turned his pleading gaze toward Tengen Uzui, who was training, when the swaying thunder blocked his view.

Chuhe, holding the tea and snacks, smiled gently and nodded in agreement.

“Mr. Jigoro is right. Rika is young, and it would be safer for her to go to such a far place for the assessment with Mr. Ryosuke by her side.”

Ryosuke choked completely, almost unable to catch his breath.

He looked at Hinatsuru with grief and indignation, then glanced at Maki and Suma, who were silent but whose eyes showed agreement.

Friendships between women are formed so quickly!

It hasn't been that long, and they've already started forming a united front to sabotage him!

Finally, Ryosuke had no more excuses and agreed to Jigoro's request to return early, then slung his arm over his shoulder and began packing his bags.

Pear Blossom: (●??｀●) Yay!

Oh well, I'll just treat this as a trip to clear my head.

While we're at it, we might as well check out Sabito and Giyuu; it's not a complete loss.

However, on the way to Fujikasayama...

A boy dressed in a jet-black haori walked ahead looking utterly hopeless, followed by a chattering, bouncy, and excited girl.

"Ryosuke-nii, look! Doesn't that cloud look like a big rabbit!"

"Ryosuke-nii, look! There are fish in the stream over there! They're so fat! Hehe~"

"Ryosuke-nii, are you hungry? I brought rice balls! Hinatsuru-nee taught me how to make them!"

"Ryosuke-nii! Ryosuke-nii..."

Ryosuke felt as if hundreds of bees were buzzing in his ears, and his head was throbbing.

He had never imagined that a journey could be so long, neither in his past nor this life.

Ryosuke tried several times to use Thunderclap to travel quickly and escape.

But the thought of facing Jigoro's cane and Rika's tearful onslaught when she got back made her hold back.

"Shut up, let's get going."

Ryosuke finally lost his temper and glanced at her.

Rika wilted for a moment, but after a few minutes, she couldn't help but start humming an off-key tune to bother Ryosuke again.

Ryosuke rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply.

After several days of trekking, the mountains, perpetually shrouded in a sea of ​​wisteria blossoms, came into view.

Beneath this beautiful surface lies the stench of blood and despair that has accumulated over the years within the mountain's interior.

Just as they reached the open space in front of the shrine, before Ryosuke could even find a place to hide and slack off, a familiar figure rushed over like a cannonball, grabbed Rika, and looked her up and down.

"Pear Blossom! Are you alright? Was the journey smooth? Are you thirsty? Are you hungry?"

Shota had obviously rushed over to deliver the pear blossoms after completing his mission.

Pear Blossom twirled around with a grin.

"It's alright, it's alright! Ryosuke-nii came with me, and it was safe the whole way!"

Shota then noticed Ryosuke standing to the side, his eyes widening and his face darkening.

"Hey?! What are you doing following me here?"

After spending several years together, he knew Ryosuke's lazy nature well.

Unless he has a mission to complete, he would never leave his home!

Ryosuke didn't even bother to roll his eyes, and waved his hand listlessly.

"It's a long story... but I don't want to talk about it now."

He really didn't want to recount how he was tricked by the conspirators.

Shota approached with a serious expression.

"You didn't do anything weird to my sister on the way, did you?"

Ryosuke:o_0?

Brother! I may enjoy looking at beautiful women, but I'm a human being, not an animal!

How old is your sister?

Your idea is cruel! Absolutely cruel!!!

Ryosuke looked at Rika's expectant face with a sense of helplessness.

If anything strange is to happen, it'll be her doing it to me, right?

Seeing his demeanor, Shota didn't ask any more questions and returned his attention to Rika, nagging her on the important points of the assessment.

Just then, a clear and energetic voice came from behind.

"Ryosuke-nii! It really is you!"

Ryosuke turned around; the boy was full of energy, and his smile was bright beneath his flesh-colored medium-length hair.

Giyu stood quietly beside him, like a background figure, except that his eyes lit up slightly when he saw Ryosuke.

Hmm~ He really likes this person.

Murata, who was placed last, seemed somewhat disheartened.

“Sabito, Giyuu, and Murata.”

Ryosuke walked over and patted Sabito on the shoulder. "You've gotten stronger again. You'll definitely pass the test."

"Hehe, it's alright! Not as good as you, Ryosuke-nii."

Sakura scratched his head sheepishly: "Hey, are those your junior brothers and sisters over there?"

Ryosuke nodded, and before he could even speak, Rika ran over excitedly.

Lihua:>?O!

"My name is Kiritani Rika! This is my older brother, Kiritani Shota! You must be disciples of Mr. Urokodaki of Sagiriyama, right?"

"Yes, hello."

Sabito took a great liking to the enthusiastic young girl and introduced her to the two people beside him: "Tomioka Giyuu, Murata."

Pear Blossom nodded vigorously and greeted the two people in turn.

Yiyong remained expressionless and responded politely.

Murata... well, he's a little shy.

Seeing Rika's overly familiar demeanor, Shota wore a loving mother's smile.

Look! This is my sister! How cute!

Ryosuke didn't say anything and just stood in the background with Giyu.

After chatting for a while, it was time for the assessment to begin.

As he watched the new batch of swordsmen pass through the sea of ​​wisteria flowers, Ryosuke yawned and lazily waved goodbye to Rika and the others.

OK! Escort mission complete! Seven-day holiday ahead!

Ryosuke turned around, ready to say goodbye to Shota and slip away, when a figure silently appeared in front of him and bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Yasui, the lord requests your presence."

Ryosuke paused, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Kagaya summoned him? And of all times, at this particular moment.

A feeling of being manipulated welled up inside me.

He looked at Shota, who was equally astonished, and was about to speak when the Ubuyashiki clansman gently shook his head.

"My lord has only invited you. Mr. Kiritani, please wait in the side hall."

Well, there's no escaping it.

Ryosuke sighed.

"Lead the way."

Chapter 32 The New Stone Pillar, Gyomei of Murasaki

Led by the Ubuyashiki clansman, Ryosuke and Shota remained silent the entire way.

Shota couldn't contain himself and nudged Ryosuke with his elbow.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Why does the lord summon you again?"

Ryosuke waved his hand and joked, "How would I know? Maybe he just wants to invite me for tea because I'm handsome."